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The changeling, composed of a protoplasmic substance, is capable of shape-shifting into a form resembling a terran. It can shift between specific appearances. It can even send out psionic impressions leading terrans to believe that everything is "all right".

It is intelligent, capable of operating computers. It possesses more strength than an unarmored human and can transform part of its body into a deadly bone blade, although its primary purpose does not appear to be combat.[1]

The changeling's movement stats and collision radius vary depending on what form it is replicating. For instance, a changeling which resembles a zergling moves faster, and moves even faster if replicating a zergling with the Metabolic Boost upgrade.

Changelings

The changeling has a limited lifespan, which is measured by a decreasing bar visible on the interface below the name, and it will die when the bar is zeroed. The changeling has its own wire-frame and portrait when not transformed. The changeling sometimes speaks, and its voice does not change when transformed.

The changeling game unit has no attack or abilities other than shape-shifting; any weapons it appears to carry are false. Changelings can easily be detected if you select your zealots/marines/zerglings, and use /dance. The changeling will not dance.

The changeling's maximum hit points do not change, but they appear as the duplicated unit's hit points. For instance, a changeling resembling a marine will appear to have 45 hit points, but will in fact still have five hit points.

When a changeling takes the shape of a zergling, it will have wings if the zerg it copied have the Metabolic Boost upgrade. These wings can be seen on the wireframe of the unit. The Galaxy Map Editor refers the changeling's zergling shape as "zergling with wings".[3]

The changeling shifts upon approaching an enemy unit. It takes on the color of the nearby enemy, and the form and wireframe of the basic combat unit (marine, zealot, or zergling) of the nearby enemy's race. The transformation is permanent.

The changeling appearance exactly matches the assumed unit's form at the time of transformation; the changeling gains only the visual effects of upgrades.

Overseers were briefly removed from multiplayer in Heart of the Swarm,[4] effectively removing changelings as well. However, the overseer has been returned to the game as Blizzard examines how to make its abilities more interesting.[5]